A Nation’s Thank You!

Lest we forget. Me and my Consort, Colin Mason, had the tremendous honour to represent Frodsham to pay our respects to all those that served in the First World War. This unique commemoration on the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice, recognised the significance of the end of the First World War, and the sacrifice made by so many men and women during the war. We were part of A Nation’s Thank You – the People’s Procession, of 10,000 members of the public successfully selected by random ballot for the 1.2 mile walk and pass the Cenotaph. This is where I laid a wreath to pay tribute to the 86 from Frodsham who fought in WW1.

Colin was remembering his grandfather Private Frank Mason who served in the South Lancashire regiment from 1914-1918 on the Western Front and his Son, Colin’s father, Harry Mason who served in WW2 in East Africa, North Africa and Normandy into Germany 1940-46.

We assembled on the Mall, outside Buckingham Palace where we saw the Battle Bus, the London bus that went to war. The B-type was the first successful mass-produced motor bus which was introduced in 1910, to go on and replace all the horse drawn omnibuses in the London General Omnibus Company within 18months. When WW1 broke out, the buses were commandeered for the war effort to transport troops to and from the front lines. They were fitted out and painted army green with the capacity to carry up to 25 soldiers and their equipment.